Best Games Like Okami

For numerous individuals within the gaming industry and community, including me and my circle, Okami occupies a cherished position. We are enamored with its enchanting portrayal and distinctive game mechanics.

With the highly anticipated sequel revealed at The Game Awards 2024, we can hardly wait to see what masterpieces Hideki Kamiya and his team are going to create.

I’ve put together a collection of games with a comparable charm to the original Okami, which should help keep that distinctive atmosphere alive for you until you finally play its sequel.

It’s important to note that Okami stands out as an exceptional game, with only a select few being able to truly emulate its fundamental aspects. This compilation, however, seeks to highlight shared characteristics or common themes found in both games.

12. Viewtiful Joe

“Henshin-A-Go-Go, Baby!”

Viewtiful Joe is an apparent pick, considering it and Okami hail from the same development studio. To kick off our list, we’ve opted for this game due to that connection.

Both versions of this game offer thrilling, side-scrolling fight gameplay alongside a captivating narrative structure reminiscent of comics, drawing you in from the very start.

After wrapping up Okami’s captivating world, diving into Viewtiful Joe feels like stepping into another dimension of visual storytelling. Both games share a unique blend of style and mystery that keeps you hooked.

Despite certain elements not holding up quite as well over time, it remains a beloved classic (regrettably overlooked by Capcom) that is worth experiencing if you found joy in playing Okami.

11. Chicory: A Colorful Tale

A Canine And His Imaginative Canvas

In terms of the classic adventure-action genre, Chicory and Okami are distinct games; however, what uniquely ties them together is the presence of a trusted paintbrush as a tool in both.

Chicory skillfully employs an original approach with the on-screen painting tool, using it to tackle environmental riddles and establish routes for our adorable canine companion to traverse in order to advance through the game’s stages.

In this game, there are boss battles, but since the overall mood is relaxed, they’re not overly chaotic. If you prefer a more peaceful gaming session, you can easily bypass these battles via the settings menu.

If you enjoy games that utilize a style reminiscent of the Celestial Brush found in Okami and feature an endearing canine main character like Ammy, then Chicory might be exactly what you’re looking for – it’s an engaging choice for a delightful gaming experience.

10. Darksiders

War Between Heaven & Hell

At first glance, it might appear that the original Darksiders and Okami are two games with opposing themes. However, for those who have experienced Darksiders or have some familiarity with it, this pairing becomes more comprehensible.

In essence, the gameplay style of Okami bears a strong resemblance to The Legend of Zelda series, and this similarity can also be seen in the 3D adventure format reminiscent of Zelda that is present in Darksiders as well.

As a gamer, I can’t help but rave about how these two games – Darksiders and Okami – offer an exhilarating battle system that lets me unleash diverse combat techniques with various weapons. The best part? A delightful combo system that serves as the perfect finishing touch!

Should you decide to give it a go, make sure to opt for the latest version of the Warmastered edition. If you’re willing to overlook certain vintage aspects, Darksiders could prove to be a game you’ll enjoy, much like Okami.

9. Alice: Madness Returns

Dark, Twisted And Enchanting

One aspect I truly appreciate in Okami is the harmonious fusion of its puzzles and platforming elements, and it can be accurately stated that Alice: Madness Returns effectively captures and recreates this intriguing combination of gameplay styles.

Madness Returns is a standalone action-platformer, serving as a sequel to American McGee’s Alice. Fortunately, it doesn’t require knowledge of the previous game to play, as it provides a recap and flashback scenes that fill you in on the storyline of the original.

The fighting style adheres to a common third-person action format, yet what sets it apart is its haunting ambiance and intriguing level design. Occasionally, these elements seem strikingly reminiscent of the impressive landmarks in Okami.

If the fighting part doesn’t bother you, there are plenty of other captivating aspects that make it worth your while – the intriguing narrative and clever level design being two of them. So, if you give it a try, you might find yourself falling for this often overlooked treasure.

8. Kunitsu-Gami: Path Of The Goddess

A Modern Tower Defense Done Right

In 2024, Kunitsu-Gami: Path Of The Goddess was a lesser-known gem – it wasn’t widely recognized due to being an action-strategy game, which is less popular in mainstream circles.

In other words, the standout feature is that Kunitsu-Gami, with its atmosphere reminiscent of Japanese folklore, seems almost like a sibling game compared to Okami.

Despite significant variations in gameplay mechanics, it’s striking how much the character designs, settings, and artistic styles resemble each other when looked back on.

In essence, both games share a common theme: they aim to rid their fictional worlds of any looming menace or evil presence. This similarity in narrative might encourage you to give the game a spin, especially since there’s a free demo available for you to enjoy and decide if it suits your taste.

7. Tunic

A Zelda-Like For Brainiacs

Okami and Tunic have a significant similarity: they were both influenced by The Legend of Zelda, setting the foundation for their open-world gameplay style.

In contrast, what sets Tunic apart in this context is its distinctive isometric visual style and the lack of a traditional instruction manual or structured guidance within the game.

If the game doesn’t offer much guidance in its combat and puzzle sections might make you think twice, but if you’re familiar with Okami and enjoy a bit of a challenge, Tunic could be definitely worth exploring to find out if it resonates with you.

6. Ori And The Blind Forest

“Remember Those Who Have Passed”

Among the listed games, Ori and the Blind Forest stands out as a highly sought-after title. Not only does it excel as one of the finest Metroidvania games available on the Nintendo Switch, but it also bears similarities to Okami in certain aspects.

In the game, both Ori, a charming little entity, and Amaterasu are characters who are led by their respective in-game sidekicks (Sein and Issun). Additionally, both games share a common storyline structure of vanquishing malevolent entities.

If you’re hesitant due to the Metroidvania gameplay style, let me assure you, Ori and the Blind Forest is incredibly welcoming for beginners among this genre. It’s a standout choice in the Metroidvania realm.

Similar to Okami, it encourages exploration across every realm, uncovering hidden mysteries as you strive tirelessly to avert a looming disaster.

5. Kena: Bridge Of Spirits

Like Straight Out Of A Pixar Movie

Kena: Bridge of Spirits garnered acclaim for its stunningly realistic animation and immersive gameplay reminiscent of Okami, creating a very recognizable experience.

Both games share striking commonalities at a glance, with their focus primarily on immersive exploration, engaging puzzle-solving, and confronting intricate battle scenarios.

An additional delight is found in the fact that these games evoke the atmosphere of a Dreamworks or Pixar production, featuring a scenic backdrop reminiscent of the rustic countryside with verdant fields and age-old ruins.

Although I don’t particularly enjoy Kena’s fighting mechanics, the aspects I’ve highlighted and the overall atmosphere it creates make it deserving of a top spot on this list.

4. The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess

An Escapade Into The Twilight

It’s worth noting that when creating Okami, Kamiya drew significant inspiration from the Legend of Zelda series, and Twilight Princess is one of the outstanding titles stemming from that beloved franchise.

This particular game is known for being one of the gloomier Zelda games, featuring a more grim and foreboding visual style contrasting sharply with its lighter, more cartoonish peers in the series.

Just as you have full command over Ammy, Twilight Princess allows you similar freedom with Link, but under certain circumstances. In this game, Link has the ability to transform into a wolf, offering a unique playstyle and additional skills that set him apart from his human form.

As a gamer, I can say that although this game doesn’t have the same level of intense combat as Okami, the intricate mainline dungeons and hidden treasures it offers are more than enough to keep me engaged. I believe any fan of Okami would find this title noteworthy and enjoy exploring its depths.

3. The Legend Of Zelda: Wind Waker

An Ocean Of Limitless Fun

It’s worth noting that while we recently discussed Zelda: Twilight Princess, Zelda: Wind Waker is another game in the series that truly deserves attention and appreciation too.

Okami heavily draws from Zelda’s essence, but it still stands out in many ways. Its unique mechanics involving the Brush tool, among other features, set it apart as an exceptional game during its era.

As a gamer, I can vouch for Wind Waker being a unique Zelda experience. Instead of a single, continuous world, it’s divided into distinct areas ripe for exploration, making it stand out among its peers.

In addition, these two Zelda games are the only ones that offer special tools like Link’s grapple hook. Just like in Okami and Wind Waker, players are encouraged to acquire new tools and skills to advance their journey.

By the way, let me point out that the artwork in these games has a striking, subtle quality to it due to its cel-shaded style, which is noticeable not only in their character designs but also in the overall layout of their worlds.

2. Shadow Of The Colossus

A Timeless Masterpiece

Among my all-time favorite games, Shadow of the Colossus stands out significantly, and a key factor contributing to its high ranking is its ability to capture the exploratory and daredevil spirit found in Okami as well.

Although the overall structure of gameplay may differ significantly from that of Okami, what truly makes Shadow of the Colossus noteworthy are its puzzle-like battles against the colossi and the hauntingly beautiful world design.

Engaging in a prolonged conflict, where you defeat opponents using various methods, offers a significant payoff – much like the exciting combat and problem-solving mechanics found in Okami.

In the game SOTC, the devastated Forbidden Lands bear a subtle resemblance to the rural areas of Japan during the Edo period as depicted in Okami.

1. Okamiden

Name A Cuter Pup Than Chibiterasu

This leads us to the highly praised game, Okamiden. It’s a title that warrants all the effort put into it, even though it was confined to the Nintendo DS platform.

The game can be seen as a spiritual sequel to Okami, although it isn’t as grand in scope as the initial release; it still maintains essential elements from its predecessor.

In this game, you guide the character Chibiterasu, a miniature deity who originates from the goddess Ammy. The title itself hints at the game’s focus on the cute, shrunken form of the hero, which is depicted in a chibi art style throughout the game.

Occasionally, Okamiden may seem like a less complex rendition of the original game, featuring a more simplified combat mechanism and a linear path for smooth advancement.

Despite any initial misconceptions, remember not to underestimate the game. If you give it a chance, it’s an enjoyable small adventure that Okami enthusiasts will adore, featuring classic elements like the Celestial Brush prominently.

This sequel brings back some well-known characters from the initial game into the storyline, giving it a sense of familiarity that makes it feel inviting to players, even if its reception has been varied since its debut.

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2025-01-24 19:41